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Having problems with your Canon PowerShot S3 IS Digital Camera ?

Clicking noise when PowerShot S3 lens extends and retracts

\015 I have a PowerShot S3 IS and the lens makes a clicking noise when it extends and retracts. I don't get a lens error and the camera still takes pictures. The repair shop said it was the lens unit and would cost $185 to repair. Worth it or do I continue to use it and run it into the ground while saving for a new camera?\015

Answers :

Save this for the future if and when a "lens error" appears:\012Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera\012\012This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camera. Some common error messages that might show up on the LCD's of cameras with this problem include “E18 lens error”, or “lens error, restart camera”. Some cameras might show nothing at all, but merely make a beeping noise as the lens goes out, then in, then the camera shuts off. Sometimes the lens won't even move.\012The problem is actually quite common throughout all camera brands. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended. Believe it or not, one BIG contributor to lens errors is using a camera case. Sand, gunk, case fibers, etc... accumulate at the bottom of the case. These materials love to cling to the camera by electrostatic build-up from the camera rubbing against the side of the case (especially those cases with soft fibrous intreriors). Once these materials work their way into the lens mechanism, that's all she wrote. I have many Canon's, and NEVER use a case for this very reason.\012A camera owner that suffers this problem may have no recourse for having the camera repaired. Many camera makers will not honor repairing this problem under warranty as they claim it is due to impact damage to the camera, or sand or debris getting into the lens gearing mechanism (neither of which is covered under warranty). The quoted repair cost is usually close to or more than what the camera is actually worth.\012Fortunately, about half the cameras that suffer this failure can easily be fixed by one of the following methods. None of these methods involve opening the camera, although some have potential to cause other damage to the camera if excessively done. If the camera is still under warranty, before trying any of these, please please first contact your camera's maker to see if they'll cover the repair, or to determine how much they'll charge for the repair. Who knows, you might get lucky. But if they quote you a number that's higher than the value of your camera, you may want to consider the following methods.\012The methods are listed in the order of risk of damaging your camera. Thus make sure you try them in the listed order. And remember, these fixes (especially #6 and 7) should only be considered for a camera that's out of warranty, who's cost of repair would be excessive, and would otherwise be considered for disposal if unrepaired:\012Fix #1: Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fresh set of batteries back in (preferably rechargeable NiMH 2500mah or better) and turn the camera on. If that didn't work, try pressing and holding the Function or OK button while turning the camera on.\012Fix #2: Remove the batteries, then remove the memory card. Then install new batteries, and turn on the camera. If you get an Error E30, it means you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the memory card and turn it on one last time.\012Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particals that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.\012Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins in their slots.\012Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in “no heat” setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one).\012Now we're entering into the realm of potentially damaging your camera in conducting the fix. There is definitely some risk here, so take care when conducting the following two fixes.\012Fix #6: Repeatedly tap the padded/rubber usb cover on a hard surface with the intent of dislodging any particles that may be jamming the lens. Other variations include hitting a side of the camera against the palm of your hand. A lot of people have reported success with this method. HOWEVER, there is also some potential for damaging or dislodging internal components with this method, such as unseating ribbon cables, or cracking LCD screens.\012Fix #7: Try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods. HOWEVER, there's obviously some potential for damaging your camera by using this method. Variations include gently pulling, rotating, and/or twisting the lens barrel while hitting the power button. Attempt to gently straighten or align the barrel if it's crooked or twisted. Another variation includes looking for uneven gaps around the lens barrel, and then pushing on the side of the lens barrel that has the largest gap (note pushing the lens barrel all the way in is NOT recommended as it may become stuck there). While doing any of the above, listen for a click that indicates that the lens barrel guide pins may have reseated in their guide slots. If you hear this click, immediately stop and try the camera.

Hi had to go through all steps but 7 save results. Try resting camera ON its lens, face down on a hard surface. then use #4start method and try on and off 6-8 times. Then give a # 6 a go. Then repeat a few times. I also noticed that when tapping the camera lens down on a glass table i could see the sand/grit reflect oof the glass. This told me that i had a dirt one LOL.\015\012BUT IT WORKED.YEAH\015\012Thanks guys, Marty

Clicking noise when PowerShot S3 lens extends and retracts

Lens error Lens is fully retracted. At power on there is motor noise and clicking but the lens does not extend. Screen reports "lens error" and the camera shuts down. Can the camera be partially dismantled to release the lens or is this a full repair job?

Lens is open and won't retreat back inside. I turn the power on and makes a funny clicking noise like its trying to retract the lens back in. After three seconds of this it says "lens error, restart camera". Its a canon powershot SD790 IS digital elph with image stabilizer. Canon PC1261...don't know if that helps.

I've had similar problems with various versions of this camera. Here's the fix, if all else fails. These are step-by-step instructions to take apart and fix the camera's lens error. http://johnsmouth.wordpress.com/2010/12/01/lens-error/ ...
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Lens on my SD550 is stuck in the retracted position. When i press on switch lens tries to extend and there is a clicking noise. How do i fix this?

Lens won't retract and when I try to turn the camera on, there is a clicking noise and then it says lens error, please restart camera. I assume something is jamming it, what do I do? My camera is a Powershot SD750

You are spot on. You've just diagnosed your own problem. Now, what to do about it? Number one, DO NOT do as some "person" on certain forums suggests Bash it on a hard surface.\015\012\015\012Either you or someone else has given the lens a ...
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Hi\015\012\015\012On the first powershot you need to make sure the Auto Flash is not turned off (button top left on rear of camera) If it has been turned off a lightening strike symbol contained in a circle will show on screen and ...
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I have a Canon Powershot S3 IS and I was looking at picture I had taken and the lens was retracted. I switched to the camera mode and the lens started to come out and hit my leg and stopped half way. The lens went dark. I turned it off to retract the lens and then turned it back on. The lens came all the way out but the screen is still black and I could feel the camera and just barely hear it making the noise it makes when the lens is coming out but it was already all the way out. I switche

Format ur memory card ....and replace the cells.....might work...contact the customer care for help ..they mightr be able to fix it ... ...
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The lens will not retract. A message says "lens error, restart camera," but the camera will not restart. The camera is a Canon PowerShot S3 IS. I can hear a "whirring" or motor noise when I try to start it, but the lens will not retract and it will not take photos or allow you to review photos. Batteries are just fine. I imagine it's the gears, but I wish I could have it repaired for not a lot of money.

Lens errors are fairly common. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. O ...
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When I turn on my camera
the lens will wind in and out making a clicking noise. The light will
stay red and won't turn to green and the screen will stay black.
when i turn the camera on the lens extends,it starts clicking, stays black and i cannot take pictures

Was shooting with Canon PowerShot S3 IS and the lens won't retract,screen says lens error,restart camera. I have restarted camera, changed batteries etc... still nothing. You can hear a clicking sound like something should be happening, but it won't retract.

According to what you were doing there is a possiblity that its jus sand or someting that got caught in the lens. please take it to the neariest repair shop to get it cleaned/ checked. ...
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Lens Error My cameras battery was low but I kept taking pictures until the camera shut off by itself. The lens didn't retract all the way and now when I try to turn my camera on it makes a clicking noise like the lens wants to move but it doesn't and on the back screen it states a lens error. I am not sure how to resolve this problem I have charged the battery and taken it out. I unfortunately do not have the manual on me.

I have exactly the same problem with my camera, except there is no error message - just the screen is off (bat is full). i cant find a soultion anywhere in the manual or online. Any help on this would be much appreciated. ...
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My Canon PowerShot SD850 IS has a lens that is stuck in the extended position. I get a screen that says lens error, restart camera, but when I try to connect to the software, I get a screen on the computer telling me the computer cannot detect the camera. Battery is freshly charged, and I get the little yellow bird picture on the camera when I turn it on. It beeps about 4 times, and then turns off. Is there a safe way to get the lens to retract?

Don't play around with that lens, you can do more damage to the camera and focus with some of the stuff people tell you to try. Your camera just needs to be serviced and you'll be working great again. The shop that specializes in service for the powe ...
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On my powerShot SD 800 IS-Lens won't extend and retract properly-Seems to stick-Then camera screen gives me the message "lens error" Restart camera" which does not fix the problem..The last four or five pictures I took immediately before this started were very blurry..Please advise!!

Try starting the camera in > playback or picture view mode,and then go into photo mode extend and retract the lens (zoom) return to picture viewing mode and press the power button to turn the camoff.In the future use the > button to ...
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I have a Nikon Coolpix L14. I have had it for a while but it hasn't been used very often. I took it to the beach one day, in a plastic bag, and a few grains of sand made their way into the bag. Now, I keep getting lens error when I turn the the camera on it extends partially, makes a noise, and then retracts and on the screen 'lens error' appears. And yes , I HAVE tried compressed air, it didn't work

HelloThe problem is that the lens has become stuck in the barrel. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the \012probability is that ...
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When I tried to turn on my Canon Powershot (SD880 IS) this evening the lens extended only about half way and the screen remained blank. When I tried to turn it off the lens did not retract fully, and the screen is still blank. I have tried removing and recharging the battery, but it makes no difference. Any suggestions are welcome.

Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera\012\012This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camer ...
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My daughter's coolpix S220 was dropped by her friend with the lens open face down (lens extended). Now it just zooms and retracts continously while making a zooming noise and you can not take pictures.

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My powershot A580 when turned on extends the lens and brings up the function window but no subject on screen and then goes blank. have to turn camera off to retract lens. camera can still view image previously taken before problem. camera is approx 2 years old, happy with this camera to date.

This\015\012 is such a common fault that I hope you don't mind me pasting my stock \015\012generic answer below. No point in reinventing the wheel!Stuck lenses are pr ...
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